At every twist and turn of the undulating Goan coast there are alluring little coves or bays each completely different and each with its own special charm.

Along the coast are picturesque villages with tall white washed churches and red tiled houses that nestle into the lush green of the Goan countryside.

In North Goa, some of the finest beaches are etched against tall laterite cliffs. These include Sinquerim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Chapora with an old fort overlooking the beach.

The Arambol beach has a delightful fresh water pond at the base of a verdant slope. The Tiracol fort at the northern - most extremity of the territory, built on a tall promontory has a splendid view over the sea.

The southern beaches with their expanses of sparkling white sand and calm sea include Bogmalo, Utorda, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Mobor. The tiny bay at Palolem, is especially beautiful.

These include the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km east of Panaji), the Bondla Sanctuary (55 km from Panaji) and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km south of Panaji). The wet deciduous forests of these preserves have abundant birdlife and are the habitat of animals like the bison, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, chital, pangolin, etc.

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao along the river Mandovi, close to Panaji, has mangrove forests and varieties of water birds visiting from as far as Siberia.